Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2023

Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Hawaii. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.

Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2022

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  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    2. 47%
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
    3. 24%
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
    4. 22%
  4. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
    5. 14%
  5. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
    6. 12%
  1. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
    2. 95%
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
    3. 92%
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
    4. 88%
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    5. 70%
  1. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
    2. 19 to 1
  2. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
    3. 16 to 1
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
    4. 16 to 1
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    5. 13 to 1
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
    6. 13 to 1
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    2. $11,304
  2. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
    3. $7,344
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
    4. $7,344
  4. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
    5. $6,068
  5. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
    6. $3,144
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    2. $15,600
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
    3. $11,736
  1. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
    2. 12%
  2. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
    3. 14%
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
    4. 22%
  4. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
    5. 24%
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    6. 47%
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    2. 70%
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
    3. 88%
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
    4. 92%
  4. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
    5. 95%
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    2. 13 to 1
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
    3. 13 to 1
  3. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
    4. 16 to 1
  4. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
    5. 16 to 1
  5. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
    6. 19 to 1
  1. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
    2. $3,144
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
    3. $6,068
  3. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
    4. $7,344
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
    5. $7,344
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    6. $11,304
  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
    2. $11,736
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    3. $15,600

Colleges and Universities in Hawaiʻi

The majority of the universities and colleges in The Aloha State are public institutions, including Hawaiʻi’s largest school, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The nearly 15,000 students who attend this school pay tuition fees around $12,000. Students attending public colleges can choose between a wide range of on campus and online degree programs.

It’s also worth noting that you can receive in-state tuition discount rates for attending a public college in Hawaii, whether you enroll through a traditional or online degree program.

Hawaiʻi also offers several private school options, including two which have religious affiliations. While tuition at these private schools varies, from $6,000 at Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi to $26,000 at Hawaiʻi Pacific University, each serves between 2,000-3,000 students.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Students who attend both brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Hawaii have the option to major in fields like biology, education, history, criminal justice, physics, and many others. However, students who graduate with degrees in the health care field have an extra advantage. Hawaiʻi offers a student loan forgiveness-based financial aid program for health care workers who work at designated, high-need locations within the state for at least two years.

So, even though Hawaiʻi comes in just above the national average for tuition costs, if you are considering a career in health care, this may be the place for you.

Some dream of vacationing in paradise - but why not take it a step further and live there? Students attending school in Hawaiʻi won’t have to say aloha, or goodbye, to the beautiful white sand beaches, perfect waves, and tropical drinks. Both traditional and online students can enroll in one of Hawaiʻi’s 15 higher education institutes and live their best life in these picturesque island communities.

For more information on obtaining your degree in Hawaiʻi, explore some of the top programs and schools this state has to offer.


What are Hawaiʻi’s Colleges & Universities?

Hawaiʻi’s Best Overall

Hawaii's Most Affordable Colleges and Universities Badge
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There are 5 colleges and universities in Hawaii with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Hawaii is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.

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Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2022

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  1. #1

    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

    Honolulu , HI
    #1 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #1 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #1 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2023 #1 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/24

    What is University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa known for?

    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Online Degrees

    BA in Economics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Human Relations In Organizations
    • Social Sciences Of Oceans
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Women'S, Gender, And Sexuality Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #2

    University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

    Hilo , HI
    #2 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #2 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2023 #2 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2023 #4 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/19

    What is University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo known for?

    University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #4

    University of Hawaiʻi Maui College

    Kahului , HI
    #3 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #6 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    1K

    What is University of Hawaiʻi Maui College known for?

    University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s Online Degrees

    BS in Applied Business And Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. #5

    University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

    Kapolei , HI
    #4 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2023 #7 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/18

    What is University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu known for?

    University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Business
    • Accounting
    • Hospitality And Tourism
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Disaster Preparedness And Emergency Management
    • Justice Administration
    • Community Health
    • General Public Administration
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Long-Term Care
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Hawaii’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
2021 Ranking Archive
  1. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  3. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

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